Sharjah Cultural Honours Forum Celebrates Four Esteemed Jordanian Writers In Amman

The 22nd Sharjah Cultural Honours Forum took place in Amman, Jordan, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This event celebrated four notable Jordanian literary figures: translator Prof. Dr. Mohammad Al Bakhit, critic Dr. Nabil Haddad, academic and critic Mahmoud Al Shalabi, and poet Mohammad Samhan.

The forum aligns with the directives of His Highness to honour those who have made significant contributions to contemporary Arab culture. This marks the fifth time the forum has been held in Jordan, having previously recognised 16 Jordanian creatives in earlier editions.

The ceremony was hosted at the National Library Department in Amman. Attendees included Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs; Hamad Al Matroushi from the UAE Embassy; Dr. Nidal Al Ayasrah from the Jordanian Ministry of Culture; and National Library Director Rouba Al Shamaila.

Abdullah Al Owais expressed joy over these gatherings that strengthen bonds through shared Arab values and cooperation. He emphasised the strong ties between the UAE and Jordan under their respective leaderships.

Al Owais stated, "Today we are presenting a living example of these principles through the Sharjah Cultural Honours Forum, which aims to recognise cultural figures who have enriched the Arab world with their literary creativity in various fields. After travelling across the Arab world, the forum returns for the fifth time to Jordan to honour a new group of distinguished Jordanian writers who have remained true to their craft and offered a wealth of diverse literary contributions."

He thanked the Jordanian Ministry of Culture for its cooperation in organising successful cultural activities. Dr. Nidal Al Ayasrah welcomed attendees by highlighting Amman's warm greetings to Sharjah through this collaborative cultural event.

Acknowledging Creative Contributions

Dr. Nidal Al Ayasrah added that writers and poets offer insights that benefit others, often sacrificing personal time for cultural advancement. He noted that joy comes when words come alive and younger generations connect with their rich heritage.

Speaking on behalf of honourees, Professor Dr. Mohammad Al Bakhit expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for recognising those serving culture amidst challenging times for Arab intellectuals.

Showcasing Literary Works

An exhibition accompanied the ceremony featuring publications from Sharjah's Department of Culture such as Sharjah Cultural Magazine and Theatre Magazine. The exhibition attracted many visitors eager to explore these culturally rich titles.

The event was moderated by Jordanian poet Iman Abdel Hadi who praised Sharjah’s pioneering role in promoting Arab cultural life and noted its status as a leading model for regional cultural initiatives.

This forum exemplifies how shared values can unite nations through literature while celebrating individuals who enrich Arab culture with their creative works.

With inputs from WAM